ALBION are aiming to complete a #3million double swoop for Luton Town duo Rowan Vine and Leon Barnett later this week.

ALBION are aiming to complete a #3million double swoop for Luton Town duo Rowan Vine and Leon Barnett later this week.

The Baggies are stepping up their pursuit of the highlyrated pair having already spoken at length with officials at Kenilworth Road.

Striker Vine would fetch in the region of #2million, with Barnett, who can play in central defence or as a defensive midfielder, expected to cost about #1million.

Blues have also expressed an interest in Vine, especially after losing Nicklas Bendtner to injury in Saturday's draw against Newcastle.

Vine scored both goals in Luton's 2-2 draw with Albion in September and has netted a total of 14 this season.

If Albion's pursuit of the 6ft 1in targetman proves success-ful then it will most likely speed up Nathan Ellington's departure.

Wigan made an unsuccessful second bid of around #3million last week, which also included a Latics player moving to The Hawthorns as part of the deal.

The offer was well below Albion's valuation of Ellington, who was left out of Saturday's victory over Leeds.

Manager Tony Mowbray conceded his striker was not in the right frame of mind to play.

"I had to make a decision on a young man who has plenty of things running through his head at the moment," said Mowbray. "It was nothing to do with us not wanting to make Nathan cup-tied.

"He was left out because I didn't think he could have contributed what I wanted him to."

Midfield duo Nigel Quashie and Zoltan Gera are also expected to move on before the end of the month.

Quashie is wanted by both West Ham and Charlton, with the Hammers favourites to sign the player. Middlesbrough are expected to return with a renewed offer for Gera after having a bid of #1.5million turned down a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, Albion remain in the hunt for Hibernian midfielders Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson, as previously revealed in the Mail.

But they would need to spend in excess of #4million for the pair and would face stiff competition from the Old Firm clubs and a number of Premiership sides including Portsmouth.